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3 Fighting Irish on Thin Ice Heading Into 2024 Season

The Fighting Irish have no excuses to make the College Football Playoff this season. However, these three individuals will play a large role in how things play out for Notre Dame.

By Jovan Alford

Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard (13) who is hurt, dresses and throws some pre-game passes with fellow quarterbacks Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the annual Notre Dame Blue-Gold spring football game at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend.
Notre Dame quarterback Riley Leonard (13) who is hurt, dresses and throws some pre-game passes with fellow quarterbacks Saturday, April 20, 2024, at the annual Notre Dame Blue-Gold spring football game at Notre Dame Stadium in South Bend. / MANDATORY CREDIT GREG SWIERCZ / USA
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2. Marcus Freeman - HC

Freeman has had success through his first two seasons as the football head coach at Notre Dame, but the time is now for the Fighting Irish to make that national championship push.

Last season, the Fighting Irish were dominant on both sides of the ball as they raced out to a 4-0 start and finished the season (including the bowl game), going 6-3. 

It was an impressive year for the Irish, who might’ve been in the CFP discussion if they didn’t lose to Ohio State in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter. It would’ve been hard to deny a 10-2 Notre Dame squad with wins over Ohio State and USC.

However, it is a brand new season and the Irish have a favorable schedule out of the gate. They start the season on the road at Texas A&M before playing four out of their next five games at home against Northern Illinois, Miami (OH), Louisville, and Stanford.

Later in the season, they have to play Florida State and USC, but the Seminoles will be coming to South Bend, and then the Irish will take a trip out west to play the Trojans. The pathway to the playoffs is right there for Freeman and Co., the Irish just have to execute.

Last season, Notre Dame had one of the better rushing attacks (185.7 yards per game – 28th) and scoring defense (16.6 points per game allowed – 8th). It will be up to Freeman to get his team ready to play and not to have any slip-ups on the way.

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